Someone suggested to go on facebook and join Monticello Raceway memorabilia. I signed, got approved and got to see some amazing pictures, programs and horsemen from years gone by. As a harness fan since the mid-1960’s I really enjoyed the scroll down memory lane. Crazy to see that many first race post times were past 9:00 PM. Purses started at $700. No exactas, trifectas etc. Just an early double a a twin trifecta or superfecta. There are pictures of the singers who performed there such as The Shirelles, Chubby Checker and many others. Some regular drivers in the early 60’s included Carmine Abbatiello, Lucien Fontaine, Jim Grundy, the Manzi’s and many others. How about crowds ranging from 5,000 mid-week to. well over 10,000 on the weekends. They don’t get 10,000 people in 12 months nowadays. Check it out.
